Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, often officially translated as Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, is a state in northern Germany. It comprises two parts, Mecklenburg and Vorpommern. Its capital is Schwerin. Mecklenburg-Vorpommern is among the least densely populated and least industrial German states, being the sixth largest in size, but only 14th in population. The Baltic Sea coastline and its islands (such as Rügen), the cities, as well as the Mecklenburg Lake District are very popular with tourists, making the state one of Germany's leading tourist destinations. Moreover, the universities of Greifswald (est. 1456) and Rostock (est. 1419) are amongst the oldest in Germany and, indeed, northern Europe. Major cities include Rostock, Schwerin, Neubrandenburg, Stralsund, Greifswald and Wismar. The state's name is frequently abbreviated as MV. A common but informal name — used chiefly by other Germans and not necessarily by local people, is Meck-Pomm. ------------------ The state was the site of the 2007 G8 summit of the leaders of the world's 7 leading industrial nations, plus Russia.